{"id":9143,"date":"2011-01-13T17:11:08","date_gmt":"2011-01-13T22:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wendybrandes.com\/blog\/"},"modified":"2014-03-05T16:01:53","modified_gmt":"2014-03-05T21:01:53","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wendybrandes.com\/blog\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

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About Wendy<\/h2>\n

Who is Wendy Brandes?<\/a><\/h3>\n

What made you switch from journalism to jewelry design?<\/a><\/h3>\n

How do I get in touch with you?<\/a><\/h3>\n

How do I find you on Facebook and Twitter?<\/a><\/h3>\n

About the Jewelry<\/h2>\n

What kind of jewelry do you design?<\/a><\/h3>\n

Where is your jewelry sold?<\/a><\/h3>\n

Why are some of your pieces so expensive?<\/a><\/h3>\n

Do you do custom designs?<\/a><\/h3>\n

Do you make engagement and wedding rings? <\/a><\/h3>\n

Will you redesign my old jewelry? <\/a><\/h3>\n

About the Blog<\/h2>\n

When did you start blogging?<\/a><\/h3>\n

What can I expect to read here? <\/a><\/h3>\n

What does \u201cWear What You Want\u201d mean?<\/a><\/h3>\n

How often do you update?<\/a><\/h3>\n

How do I navigate through the blog content? <\/a><\/h3>\n

What is the Thanks for the Mention list? <\/a><\/h3>\n

What is the Interviews list?<\/a><\/h3>\n

Why do you sign your blog posts “WendyB”?<\/a><\/h3>\n

What’s the blog comment policy? <\/a><\/h3>\n

Will you answer my comment? <\/a><\/h3>\n

Who is the cast of characters on this blog? <\/a><\/h3>\n

What\u2019s with all the links? <\/a><\/h3>\n

What awards has this blog won? <\/a><\/h3>\n

Do you accept advertising or guest posts? <\/a><\/h3>\n

Fashion Questions<\/h2>\n

People think my love of fashion is silly. What should I say to them?<\/a><\/h3>\n

Where do you store all your clothes?<\/a><\/h3>\n

Favorite makeup? Especially lipstick!<\/a><\/h3>\n

Any good haircare tips?<\/a><\/h3>\n

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<\/a>Who is Wendy Brandes?<\/em><\/h2>\n

I am a journalist-turned-jewelry designer. I graduated from Columbia University in New York with a bachelor\u2019s degree in English. I worked at Dow Jones New Service, the Wall Street Journal, CNN and People.com, and later became the managing editor of websites for the now-defunct Lehman Brothers. I left the corporate world in 2005 to spread happiness by creating wearable works of art.
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<\/a>What made you switch from journalism to jewelry design?<\/em><\/h2>\n

I always daydreamed of doing something entrepreneurial in fashion, but I was 100% devoted to journalism. I worked in business news for nine years and hoped to switch to pop-culture coverage. I finally got my dream job as managing editor of People magazine\u2019s website<\/a>. To make a long story short, no one at People\u2019s parent company had a reasonable Internet strategy. I had five bosses in one year. Time Warner, the parent company, finally merged with AOL in what\u2019s remembered as the worst corporate deal in history<\/a>. I got fed up and accepted a job running websites at Lehman Brothers. I figured at least I\u2019d get out of journalism hell and make better money. That move made it emotionally — and financially! — possible to follow my entrepreneurial dreams. It was like a staging area for me. I doubt I would have ever gone from journalism directly into jewelry. Still, there was some drama involved in starting my jewelry company. You can read about that here<\/a>.
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<\/a>How do I get in touch with you?<\/em><\/h2>\n

Click here<\/a>!
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<\/a>How do I find you on Facebook and Twitter?<\/em><\/h2>\n

My Facebook fan page is facebook.com\/wendybrandesjewelry<\/a>. I am @WendyBrandes<\/a> on Twitter. I’m also WendyBrandes on Twitter and Instagram.
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<\/a>What kind of jewelry do you design?<\/em><\/h2>\n

Conniving queens and merry medieval murderesses rank high among the inspirations for my fine jewelry. My designs run to the devious and mechanically ingenious, with pieces that open up<\/a>, swivel<\/a>, twist into new shapes<\/a> and even whistle<\/a>. I work in sterling silver, 18K gold and platinum. All gems are the real deal. Prices range from $35 to $25,000. There\u2019s something for everyone!
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<\/a>Where is your jewelry sold?<\/em><\/h2>\n

On my website<\/a>,<\/span> at Broken English Jewelry<\/a> in Santa Monica, Calif., and at Jewel Gallery in El Paso, Texas. If you\u2019re in or near New York Ciy and want to be invited to in-person trunk shows, follow me on Facebook<\/a> or go to my site<\/a> and sign up for my newsletters.
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<\/a>Why are some of your pieces so expensive?<\/em><\/h2>\n

This is why<\/a>. And this<\/a>. If what you want or what you can afford is inexpensive, mass-produced jewelry, there is plenty of that in the world. I\u2019m not stopping you from buying that. But you should read the links here anyway. Those blog posts may help you develop a greater appreciation of the costs and benefits of U.S. labor, as well as my passion for quality and longevity. The pieces in my signature line are created to be museum-worthy a century from now, not to be thrown out after six months.
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<\/a>Do you do custom designs?<\/em><\/h2>\n

Happily! If you can describe it and pay for it, I\u2019ll do it. Contact me to make a request<\/a>. Please note that custom pieces always require a 50% deposit. For general information about the price of custom work, read this blog post<\/a>.
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<\/a>Do you make engagement<\/a> and wedding rings<\/a> ?<\/em><\/h2>\n

Those are my favorite jobs. You can choose from my inventory, or I\u2019ll make something just for you. Contact me<\/a> to discuss your dream rings. I\u2019ll do any style from edgy to traditional, and I\u2019ll do my best to come up with something in your budget. Got an old engagement ring that you want redesigned into either a new style of engagement ring<\/a> or a new piece of jewelry? I’m happy to oblige.
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<\/a>Will you redesign my old jewelry?<\/em><\/h2>\n

Of course! Redesigning jewelry is one of my specialties<\/a>. Contact me<\/a> to discuss your ideas.
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<\/a>When did you start blogging?<\/em><\/h2>\n

I started blogging in July 2007. I had been reading and commenting on a lot of fashion blogs and some of those bloggers encouraged me to start my own blog. I wasn\u2019t planning to write much right away, but then pop-star Britney Spears \u201cborrowed\u201d one of my rings<\/a> and I needed to share that news with the world!
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<\/a>What can I expect to read here?<\/em><\/h2>\n

While I created this blog to promote my jewelry, I never wanted to publish a non-stop stream of press releases and corporate news. Boring! Sure, I tell you about sales, new designs<\/a>, and my manufacturing process<\/a>. I also write about my jewelry inspirations — mostly pre-1700s queens and other royal or notable women — so you can find out what I was thinking when I created my Empress Matilda sword necklace<\/a>. But to keep things interesting, I write about what I wear<\/a>, vintage clothing designers<\/a>, current-day designers, music<\/a>, books<\/a>, medieval history, books about medieval history<\/a>, feminism<\/a> and things that annoy me<\/a>. I think of it as a fashion blog with lots of extras. I like to make people laugh and I\u2019ve won awards for cussing<\/a>, so if you don\u2019t like humor or profanity, you\u2019re at the wrong blog. Click here<\/a> to go where you belong.
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<\/a>What does \u201cWear What You Want\u201d mean?<\/em><\/h2>\n

\u00a0\u201cWear What You Want<\/a> \u201d was my blog\u2019s motto from 2007 to 2012. It’s still my personal style philosophy. I want people to know the style rules \u2026 and then break them! Forget the self-appointed fashion police who snark on anyone who shows a little creativity. If you\u2019re going to a party, it\u2019s just a few hours of your life. Don\u2019t wear a boring black dress<\/a> because you\u2019re scared of standing out. Be the belle of the ball, not a wallflower! I live by my own motto. A noted fashion publication put my vintage leopard-print Patrick Kelly<\/a> gown in a \u201cDisaster Area\u201d feature. That immediately turned the dress into one of my favorites. I\u2019ve worn it many times since<\/a> \u2026 and always gotten a lot of compliments.
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<\/a>How often do you update?<\/em><\/h2>\n

For over a year, I updated every day — weekends, holidays, vacations, sick days. Finally I decided that wasn\u2019t necessary. Now I update an average of 4 to 5 times a week.
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<\/a>How do I navigate through the blog content?<\/em><\/h2>\n

In one of the columns on the right of the screen, you\u2019ll find several search options. You can search by keyword or phrase, by date and by topic.
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<\/a>What is the Thanks for the Mention list?<\/em><\/h2>\n

I try to link back to all the bloggers who write posts about me, whether they\u2019re writing about me as a jewelry designer, blogger, friend or red-lipstick aficionado<\/a>. If you do post about me, let me know so I can thank you.
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<\/a>What is the Interviews list?<\/em><\/h2>\n

This is a list of blogs that have gone the extra mile and interviewed me. (You can contact me<\/a> if you want to pitch an interview.) It includes a few non-blog items, but most of my mainstream media mentions are on the press page on my website<\/a>.
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<\/a>Why do you sign your blog posts “WendyB”?<\/em><\/h2>\n

When I first started commenting on other people\u2019s blogs, there was another Wendy who was active on the same blogs. I picked WendyB to distinguish myself. I\u2019ve gotten used to people calling me that in real life now.
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<\/a>What’s the blog comment policy?<\/em><\/h2>\n

I use both word verification and comment moderation because I get a hellacious amount of spam despite Akismet\u2019s<\/a> best efforts. I started getting a lot of smart spam in 2010. The spammers apparently have hired people who can write a legitimate-seeming comment. Sometimes those comments are smart and funny. But if I see that you\u2019re linking back to a site selling counterfeit boots, bags or watches, I\u2019m going to delete the comment no matter what you say. Note to new bloggers: If you want my readers to notice your URL, it is sufficient to link your name. There\u2019s no need to put an additional URL in your comment. You\u2019ll just get flagged as spam. Note to non-bloggers: You don\u2019t have to have a blog to comment!
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<\/a>Will you answer my comment?<\/em><\/h2>\n

I don’t always have time, but I do my best!
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<\/a>Who is the cast of characters on this blog?<\/em><\/h2>\n


\nMrB <\/a> = husband
\nBarbaraB<\/a> = mother
\nGeorgeB<\/a> = father
\nTerri Berry<\/a> = sister
\nHenry the dog<\/a> = My Pekingese from the pound. Named after Henry teh 8<\/a>.
\nGigi the dog<\/a> = my Tibetan spaniel from a rescue group. She came with that name.
\nFitzRoy the cat<\/a> = my Exotic Shorthair cat. Named after an illegitimate son of royalty.
\nSam Waterston\u2019s eyebrows<\/a> = my obsession
\nCoco<\/a> = my \u201cWear What You Want\u201d idol
\nLady Gaga<\/a> = my goddess
\nAntoine Dodson<\/a>= my hero of the moment
\nFaux-ny tail<\/a> = hairpiece I wear on special occasions
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<\/a>What\u2019s with all the links?<\/em><\/h2>\n

If I think some people won\u2019t be familiar with a word, event, person or thing, I\u2019ll link to an explanation. I often link to myself. A fellow blogger once said, \u201cEvery time WendyB links to herself, an angel gets its wings.\u201d
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<\/a>What awards has this blog won?<\/em><\/h2>\n

I\u2019ve won the following \u201cprestigious\u201d (if by prestigious you mean \u201cnot at all serious\u201d) Drysdale awards<\/a> : Blogger of the Year, Most Self-Promotion (twice) and my personal favorite, Blog With the Most Swears (twice)<\/a>. I came in third place for Best Fashion Blog in the 2008 Weblog Awards<\/a>. I was proud because the two blogs ahead of me were big famous ones with tens of thousands of readers.
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<\/a>Do you accept advertising?<\/em><\/h2>\n

No. The whole blog is an advertisement for my jewelry line. That’s enough advertising for me! I accept no ads, no sponsors, no guest posts, no sponsored posts. I also don’t promote other people’s jewelry lines unless they’re extremely close personal friends of mine, so please don’t ask.
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<\/a>People think my love of fashion is silly. What should I say to them?<\/em><\/h2>\n

Fashion is fun but it\u2019s also serious business. Read this post<\/a> and you\u2019ll have a lot of ammunition.
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<\/a>Where do you store all your clothes?<\/em><\/h2>\n

Regular readers of my blog know that I keep clothes FOREVER<\/a>. I only get rid of things that fall apart, don\u2019t fit or suddenly look \u201cwhat-was-I-thinking\u201d ugly. So it does add up over the years. I put evening gowns in storage, because they take up a lot of space and are worn so infrequently. Everything else fits in my closets.
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<\/a>Favorite makeup? Especially lipstick!<\/em><\/h2>\n

I\u2019m not hugely into makeup because I\u2019m not that good at applying it! The one product I\u2019m passionate about is red lipstick<\/a>. I wear it most days. And my favorite red lipstick is MAC\u2019s Pro Longwear Lipcolor in Lasting Lust<\/a>.
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<\/a>Any good haircare tips?<\/em><\/h2>\n

My hair often looks very shiny in photographs, so people are always asking me for my secrets. I don\u2019t have any, unless you count Pert Plus<\/a>. I straighten my wavy hair with a flat iron, but I\u2019m not committed to any particular brand of iron. I do an occasional straightening treatment too.
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About Wendy Who is Wendy Brandes? What made you switch from journalism to jewelry design? How do I get in touch with you? How do I find you on Facebook and Twitter? About the Jewelry What kind of jewelry do you design? Where is your jewelry sold? Why are some of your pieces so expensive?…<\/p>\n

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